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Sep 29, 2010

What Facebook and Skype Integration Would Mean For You

Facebook and Skype integration! That's the rumor. But beyond the intermingling of two major tech companies, the important question is: how's this going to affect you?

Video Chat With Facebook Friends From Skype

Just to be clear: this wouldn't mean that you'd be able to Skype video chat through Facebook. Not yet, anyway. Instead, when this supposedly goes live in a few weeks with Skype 5.0, you'd be able to connect with your Facebook friends list through Skype. Still pretty handy! And in-browser video chat is apparently seen as a "logical progression" to the partnership, meaning it could well happen down the line.

And Text Them, Too!

According to the WSJ, the deal would also include SMS, which definitely wouldn't get annoying after a while.

Facebook Phone's Own FaceTime?

Facebook denies that they've got a phone in the works—much less two—but that's a product that would definitely benefit from deep Skype integration. Skype's currently only available on Verizon phone.

A Google Voice Alternative

Specifically, an alternative to making calls in Gmail. That's not to say that a Facebook/Skype VoIP solution would be better, necessarily. But if you for some reason want to break free of big G, or don't have a Google account to begin with, you'd have a viable alternative. Choice is good!

You'll Actually Use Skype

As wonderful as Skype is, less than a quarter of its 560 million members are active. When they add what's arguably your most comprehensive Rolodex—your list of Facebook friends—you might be tempted to actually use other parts of the service once in a while. And eventually maybe even cut that cellphone voice plan loose.

Remember that creepy guy or girl you really don't want to talk to but haven't taken them off your Facebook because you forgot they were there? Well they can call you at any time using the new Skybook service!

Skype was a great idea while it was free, but having to pay for another phone line that you use on your computer, not many people are going to buy into it, especially when they have cell phones already, I would only use skype to prank call people and some times it's just worth it :)

Neither a member of Facebook or Skype...I have thus far avoided getting into the whole of the Web 2.0 hype, except I broke down and finally started a blogger account last weekend...so guess I am no longer immune to the lure of the new social networking phenom. Signed, the well-versed Luddite

facebook = don't use itskype = don't use itanyone i want to talk to, has a cell phone, i can just call em on that, everyones basically got unlimited minutes now, i haven't heard anyone say to me, "my minutes are running low" in years.my dad uses skype tho, i set it up for him, so he can webcam chat with his friends in scotland.